Product/Service
PowerTV and SoftConnex Collaborate to Extend Set-top Functionality to a Wide Range of Consumer Peripherals
Cupertino, CA and Fremont, CA (December 11, 2000) –- PowerTV, Inc., a leading developer of comprehensive software solutions for digital interactive cable television, today announced that it has licensed SoftConnex Technologies, Inc. USB host stack for integration into the PowerTV operating system. The USB solution will enable cable television operators to dramatically expand the functionality of their set-top boxes by facilitating data exchanges between peripheral devices and the set-top. Equally as important, it will enable cable operators to generate additional revenue through highly personalized services tied to specific consumer devices, such as digital image uploads to a photo processing service, hard copy printing of e-mails and web pages or audio clip downloads to MP3 players.
PowerTV is the first major set-top box operating system to offer a full USB host stack. USB functionality will be available early next year on all interactive digital set-tops running the PowerTV operating system that have USB hardware capability. The PowerTV open-standards based platform is currently deployed on Scientific-Atlanta and Pioneer New Media Technologies interactive digital set-tops and under contract to support Pace and Panasonic.
"As more and more PC functions migrate to the TV, it's a natural extension of our operating system to deliver this capability which so many consumers are demanding," said Bill Aspromonte, PowerTV vice president of software development. " We envision this as just another step in the evolution of the interactive set-top as the gateway to the home entertainment center of the future."
"Peripheral support via USB will dramatically expand the usefulness and revenue generating potential of the set-top box as they evolve over time," said Robert Lowe, president of SoftConnex. "By including our USBLink stack with their OS, PowerTV is helping to unleash the power of the network within the home and setting the stage for the day when MP3 players, living room printer, digital still cameras and other devices are all connected to the set-top."
The PowerTV operating system was built from the ground up using open industry standards, ensuring easy portability across a wide range of hardware platforms and enabling interoperability between a variety of head-end and server systems. The operating system provides a secure content delivery environment for both broadcast and two-way networks. It is an efficient, multitasking operating system designed for the high performance demands of media rich, real-time applications and services.
SoftConnex's USBLink is comprised of the USB stack and a class driver framework. The stack is responsible for driving USB 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 controllers. All USB protocols are supported, as are complex USB devices that contain multiple configurations/interfaces and alternate settings. The USB stack also enumerates USB devices and simulates a plug and play environment with the host operating system.
The USBLink class drivers are responsible for driving each type of device, such as printers, digital still cameras and MP3 players. USBLink supports simple USB topologies with one USB device attached to the root hub, as well as complex topologies, including cascading USB hubs and several different USB devices.
